Richard Mayne

Cluster General Manager, Radisson Blu

• What was your favourite subject at school?

My favourite subject was Geography, but I honestly believe this was due to the teacher making it so interesting, and engaging. I also really enjoyed Home Economics as I loved cooking.

• What was your first job?

My first job in hospitality was helping my mum serve breakfast at our guesthouse in Northern Ireland. I then started working in the local hotel when I was 15 collecting glasses at the busy nightclub, which was hard work but great fun. I progressed from glass collector and went on to work in many roles within the hotel, including bar tender, waiter – working high teas on a Sunday evening, chef (memories of peeling many bags of potatoes on a Saturday morning!) and receptionist. It was all so enjoyable.

• Which is your favourite restaurant /hotel?

Probably like many people who work in hospitality I have been very lucky to have eaten and stayed in many great places around the world. The experiences have always been remembered by the quality and service received and the company on the occasion.

How do you inspire your team

Allowing people to feel empowered, play to their individual strengths and encourage them to try and make their own decisions. We will win together and we will learn together. I honestly know my teams over the years have always inspired me, by pushing the boundaries, and coming up with innovative ideas.

• Which person in hospitality have you most admired / inspired you?

It’s a very difficult question to answer as I have been fortunate to have worked for and with many great people. I get inspired by my breakfast manager who has 2 young children who have not slept over night and she turns up for shift and delivers outstanding service, the housekeeper who brings a guest laundry home to wash and iron his shirt. We are so lucky to be surrounded everyday by inspirational unsung heroes.

• How do you manage your stress levels?

Firstly, I try to keep it real, we are not saving lives. I really enjoy hill walking and I walk the Pentlands regularly; this allows me to switch off. I surround myself with positive people, I hate a glass half full outlook.

• Instagram, Twitter or Facebook – and why?

I use all 3 but in a social way. Keeps me up to date.

• If you had not gone into hospitality, where do you
  think you would be now?

I’ve always enjoyed numbers and once thought of being an accountant, but the idea of sitting behind a desk was not for me.

• What did you do on your last days off?

I have a weakness for cars, so my 7-year-old son and I went car shopping. Followed by a trip to a favourite little café of ours up at Flotterstone in the Pentlands, he loves their honey cake and I’m partial to a mocha!

• What do you do to relax, to support your wellbeing?

Spending time with my family and friends is always relaxing. I love walking the hills with friends and the banter is always good. On a weekend it is great to have the time to prepare a lovely meal for the family.